Penn State Hockey’s James Robinson, Erik Autio Sign Pro Contracts Overseas
Penn State men’s hockey graduates James Robinson and Erik Autio will continue their hockey careers abroad in the 2018-19 season.
Robinson will join HC Cergy-Pontoise in France next season, linking up with former Penn State forward Tommy Olczyk. HC Cergy-Pontoise competes in the top division of French hockey and will add two former Penn State captains in the 2018-19 season.
Penn State’s former No. 7 finished his college career with 13 goals and 10 assists in 96 career games played. He was named an alternate captain as a junior in 2016-17 after missing all but one shift of the previous season through injury. He helped the team win a Big Ten championship before being named team captain for the 2017-18 season.
Autio will play in his home country with Liiga-Saipa Oy of the SM-Liiga — Finland’s top professional hockey league. He’ll be reunited with former Penn State teammate David Goodwin, who scored ten goals and added 19 assists for the team in his first professional season.
The smooth-skating Finn finished his NCAA career with 58 points in 138 games played. His 50 assists are the most in program history, and he’ll be best remembered by Penn State fans for scoring in double overtime against Minnesota en route to the program’s first conference championship.
Autio and Robinson become the third and fourth Penn State hockey players to sign professional contracts this offseason. Andrew Sturtz joined the Ottawa Senators’ organization, and Trevor Hamilton joined the Detroit Red Wings’ AHL affiliate shortly after the conclusion of Penn State’s 2017-18 season.
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